Dr. Daisaku Higashi
Deputy Director, Research Center of Sustainable Peace, Institute of Advanced Global Studies, Associate Professor. University of Tokyo.
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Abstract
Post-conflict peacebuilding is a critical issue in world politics. Surprisingly, however, there has not been a full examination of concrete policies and implementation strategies to generate legitimacy in “host states” by either international relations (IR) theorists or practitioners. Dr. Daisaku Higashi will talk about this question which was examined by his recently published book, “Challenges of Constructing Legitimacy in Peacebuilding: Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, and East Timor” (Routledge 2015).
In addition to key arguments of the book, he will also talk about how his academic research was linked with his diplomatic practices on the ground as a team leader for reconciliation and reintegration in UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (2009-2010), as well as his role as a Minister-Counsellor in the Japanese mission to the UN (2012-2014) in charge of UN Peace Building Commission.
About the Speaker
Daisaku Higashi is an associate professor in the University of Tokyo. He completed his Ph.D in the University of British Columbia in Canada in 2012. He worked for United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) from 2009 to 2010 as a team leader for reconciliation and reintegration, stationing in Kabul. He also worked as a Minister-Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN from 2012 to 2014, directing the activities of Peace Building Commission (PBC) as a part of exchange program between the University of Tokyo and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His publication includes “Challenges of Constructing Legitimacy in Peacebuilding” (Routledge 2015), “Why did we go to war: dialogue of the enemies in the Vietnam War (Warewarewa Naze Sensouwo Shitanoka)” (Heibonsha 2010), “Peacebuilding (Heiwa Kouchiku)” (Iwanami 2009), and “Can you hear the victims of crimes? (Hanzai Higaishanokoega Kikoemasuka)” (Shincho Bunko 2008).
Full detail event poster here
